NEW LOCATION AND NEW HOURS KICK OFF THIS YEAR’S BEACH SEASON OPENING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 22
ALSO NEW, THE CHICAGO SURF RAKES HELP KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN
Release Date: 05/21/09
The Chicago Park District kicks off this year’s beach season that runs from Friday, May 22, to Labor Day weekend, Monday, Sept. 7, with the opening of a new beach just off the Oakwood/39th Street exit of Lake Shore Drive. It has yet to go through the formal-naming process. In addition, swimming hours at all beaches and pools are also new this year and will be from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The new beach at 3900 South in Burnham Park was constructed using environment-friendly practices. The limestone blocks outlining the path are all reused from the previous site. Additionally, a bio-retention area was built for the parking lot to avoid run off into the storm sewer and lake.
“We are pleased to announce the opening of our new beach,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Tim Mitchell. “With more than 20 million people hitting the beach during the season, our top priority will continue to be keeping our beaches and water safe.”
Also new this year, Chicago’s beaches will be the first to systemically use a new cutting-edge technology to help clean its beaches. A set of two new surf rakes, named the Chicago Rakes, will be used on all of Chicago’s major beaches and were specially engineered for the Park District, manufactured and designed by H. Barber & Sons Inc.
These new surf rakes are made from titanium metal that act similar to agricultural cultivators used to plow fields, digging four inches into the beach sand, whereas the former comb only skimmed the surface at a quarter of an inch. Studies suggest that near shore sand helps cultivate and trap Escherichia coli (E. Coli) that eventually may get leached into recreational waters. The Chicago Rakes dig deeper into the sand exposing the bacteria to UV light and oxygen which will help decrease bacteria that may potentially affect swimming waters.
The Chicago Park District will continue to monitor water quality with the same three-tier alert system used by surrounding Lake Michigan communities to issue swim bans and inform beach goers of bacteria levels. This summer, beach visitors can call the Chicago Park District Beach Hotline at 312-74-BEACH or check www.chicagoparkdistrict.com for the swim status at each beach.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) support the notification system that calls for a swim advisory to be issued when readings fall between 235 and 1,000, which are counts of the bacterial colonies that have formed per 100 milliliters of water. A swim ban is issued if the Escherichia coli (E. Coli) levels reach over 1,000. The advisory or swim ban will remain in place until bacteria levels fall below 235.
The following flag notification system tells patrons the current status of beaches:
•Green Flag – Swimming is permitted. Water is calm and quality is safe based on current monitoring for E. Coli bacteria.
•Yellow Flag – Advisory is in effect. Caution is advised. Water and weather conditions are unpredictable. Restrictions may be implemented. Increased risk of illness may be present based on current monitoring for E. Coli bacteria.
•Red Flag – Swim ban in effect due to severe weather and/or water conditions, which may be hazardous. Serious risk of illness may be present based on recent monitoring for E. Coli bacteria.
There are several theories on the causes of high E. Coli bacteria counts in the lake water, which include high temperatures, heavy rainfall, low lake levels, and gull waste. The following additional beach mitigation initiatives are currently in place to reduce probable bacteria sources:
•“BigBelly” trash containers, solar-powered trash compactors that support fuel conservation and decreased emissions, are located at select beaches.
•The waste recycling program provides covered and weighted recycling and waste containers to help minimize the food sources that attract gulls.
•The gull population managed through an integrated collaborative program with the City’s Department of Environment and the Chicago Park District called the Ring-billed Gull Management Program. United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services biologists coated gull eggs with corn oil, which limits air movement through the shell, preventing the eggs from hatching. The oil will not harm adult gulls or other wildlife and is approved by the Humane Society.
•Daily maintenance includes beach combing, a procedure that collects debris and sifts through the sand, allowing the sun to bleach it.
Patrons are asked to observe the following beach rules: Obey lifeguards and swim only when lifeguards are present. No glass, alcohol or smoking on the beach. Properly dispose of food, diapers and other refuse. Grilling is only allowed in designated areas and coals should be disposed in the provided containers.
The Chicago Park District has more than 100 public pools, 51 of which are outdoor pools that open for the season Friday, June 12 - Monday, Sept. 7. Outdoor pool hours are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Admission is free to Park District pools, but fees vary for lap swim and instructional classes.
Admission to Chicago’s beaches is free. For a list of locations or for more information, visit the Park District website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call the Beaches and Pools Unit at 312-742-5121.
For more information on the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529
- Publication Date: 05/22/09